Social networking frustrations

Posted on August 20, 2007 by relaxusinterruptus

I’m feeling really frustrated with the lack of homeschool “community” in my area. Apparently there is a disproportionate amount of families who homeschool, here, yet they seem to all be in hiding. Or, if they are visible, they’re not vocal.

I have been fortunate in meeting another homeschooling parent in my relative area while on Facebook. I had noticed her in several groups I was in, and messaged her to say hello. Luckily, she was (and is) very friendly, and we’ve had several interesting conversations about homeschooling – and life in general. Unfortunately, apart from that one chance meeting, I’m feeling very “blah” about the sense of community – or apparent lack thereof – between homeschoolers.

Homeschooljournal.net has been a wonderful find, and I love reading about other people’s days, and hopefully making a friend or acquaintance here or there, but when it comes to local, real life, networking, I’m less than happy.

There is a homeschooling group in my city, yet it seems quite inactive. There is apparently a monthly meeting, but I’m not able to make it to them. I have tried to contact them through their website, but have never had a single reply. I’m unable to talk to any of the members, because to join, you must fill out a form, pay a fee, and bring both to a monthly meeting. Which, as I mentioned, I’m unable to attend… which leaves me nowhere.

As much as I certainly do not want to step on anyone’s toes, I have been considering starting up my own homeschool group/network, though I feel it would likely be a futile effort. But, logic tells me, that if I’m unhappy with the current option, then maybe others are as well. I know my new facebook friend is another. Maybe they, too, have thought of starting something new. Perhaps if I, or one of them, were to act on their feelings it would be a good thing.

So, I’m giving it some thought. Mulling it over. Trying to figure out if the time and effort it would require would be worth it. And, for that matter, how much time and effort would it require? More than I have to give?

Has anyone out there started a group of their own? Was it something that just kind of came together as it got going, and things sort of fell into place? And if you haven’t started one, but are part of a wonderful active group, what are things that you love most about the group?

Thanks in advance for any feedback. :)

Posted in Rants | 1 Comment

It’s raining, it’s pouring

Posted on August 18, 2007 by relaxusinterruptus

Today is a lovely drizzly day. On weekdays I’m not a big fan of the rain, since it confines me and my car-less self to the house. It’s not very easy to bring a baby in a stroller and an 8 year old out in the rain for a walk that’s anything more than 15 minutes or so, without being soaked from foot to knee. At least. Then once you get where you’re going you’re chilly and wet and just not in the mood.

But today, on a glorious Saturday, the rain is welcome. We can stay home and enjoy each other’s company. Cory is home and life just runs that much more smoothly. Sure, there’s laundry being done and other typical mundane things, but there’s also movie watching – and popcorn eating – as well as Scrabble games, baking, and crafts.

I hope everyone else is having a fantastic Saturday – rain or shine.

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A great day

Posted on August 15, 2007 by relaxusinterruptus

Things have returned to normal, here. Sage has been home since Saturday morning, which is wonderful. Quinn is being a really great baby (even more than usual), and is sleeping better and better.

With the weather being so favourable lately, we’ve been to the library, where I didn’t manage to find anything of major interest, but Sage got a great book of ideas that kids can make for gifts. This has inspired us to get a plan made up of what we want to make for people for Xmas, so we’re well prepared and people actually get what we intended for them this year.

Sage has been learning how to knit, so she has at least one knit gift on her list of things to make. She’s finding it a little frustrating since she’s not able to correct her own mistakes just yet. But it will come, and so will the joy of knowing how to knit. She’s trying to think of some other hobbies she’d like to try her hand at.

We’re trying a full day of no TV today. We don’t actually watch it much until evening rolls around, but it tends to be on all the time. Usually just on muchmusic for large chunks of the day. But today, we’re trying to go without it completely, and just have music on. Once “school” time rolls around it will be severely limited, anyhow, so I’m hoping that this will prevent the moments of complete laziness (aka “mom, I’m bored”) that seem to occur around here from time to time.

I’ve made dinner already, so all I have to do later on is pop it in the over to warm up. This should make my day far easier (and more fun!), since Quinn naps less, and needs me more in the late afternoon/early evening. I think I should beef up my recipe stash with many more meals that can be made far in advance (without compromising taste and/or texture), so I can do this most days. Does anyone have any ideas or recipes they use?

Posted in General, Inspired moments | 1 Comment

I think I can, I think I can…

Posted on August 10, 2007 by relaxusinterruptus

This is Quinn in a sweater (Note how he’s already made it his own with some spit up embellishment) that I had knit when he was in utero. It always looked so tiny as I was knitting it, but once he was born, it was obvious that it was miles too big. Not that I’m complaining… had he been born at the size required to actually fit the sweater, I’d probably still be in the hospital.

I had used this pattern for the little sweater. It was a quick knit. I plan to make a few more as soon as I can get my hands on some appropriate yarn. I’m hoping to beef up my stash soon, since as you know, autumn is on the way, which is of course also known as “the season knitters live for”. I’m lucky enough to live where it’s basically fall three seasons out of the year. Sometimes even all four.

It was actually cool enough out for Quinn to sport his little sweater yesterday (I know! In August!) when we went for a walk. Seeing him in this has inspired me to get at finishing up a couple other things I have on the go. But, to be smart, I have made a deal with myself that in order to do that, I have to do the un-fun stuff first.

As mentioned yesterday I’m apparently the laziest, most unfocused, person on earth without Sage here. Who, as it turns out will not be home until some point tomorrow. Gah! I’ve already done some stuff today, though. Quinn and I thought it was a good idea to put on some Rise Against, and as we were listening to it, he would accompany me in accomplishing. Sure, doing things with a baby in one arm may make things harder, but it also makes them more fun.

The big project for today is organizing (or at least attempting to organize) my buffet. It’s a catch-all for, well… all. Everything. If it has no home, it gets shoved in the buffet. However, with September rolling around shortly, I think I should get it all ready for Sage. Everything she needs for “school” is in there. Craft supplies, paper, pencils, binders, folders, etc… But it’s not exactly easy to find or access anything in there. There have been many times she has had an idea for a project, she does some research, skips over to the buffet in excitement, and quickly loses her zeal for the project the moment the doors of the buffet are opened. *sigh* Last thing I need is someone asking her what she’s been doing, and her reply being something along the lines of “well, I was going to do a project about Italy, but I couldn’t find anything to do it with.” Yeah, not good.

I also need to devise some sort of storage system for things she does. But living in a fairly small apartment doesn’t make that task very easy. Does anyone have any good tips on how to organize and store things in a tight space?

/long ramble

Posted in General, Knitting, Quinn | 1 Comment

Empty nest syndrome

Posted on August 9, 2007 by relaxusinterruptus

I don’t know how people who don’t have kids do it. Function, that is. I’m not sure how I got anything done before Sage was born. How did I motivate myself do do anything? I’m quite certain I did do things – I must have – but how?

Sage has been away at one of her grandparents’ since Tuesday morning, and since then I swear I’ve done nothing of importance. Well, I’ve done nothing I’ve had to do. Except the dishes… otherwise Quinn wouln’t be able to eat. But aside from dishes I’ve done nothing. No vacuuming. No tidying. No laundry. I’m not sure that’s really illustrating the severity of my lack of focus. Here: I’VE FORGOTTEN TO EAT. Honestly. Apparently without having Sage here to ask me what’s for lunch, I completely forget lunch even exists until about 3 pm, when I quickly grab some crackers and cheese because my stomach feels like it’s eating itself.

Yes, I know I have Quinn here, but he’s just a wee baby, and is therefore unable to say things like “uh, mom… you might want to actually vacuum”. He’s just happy I’m playing with him like usual. He suspects nothing is amiss.

I work best under pressure. Under scrutiny. Under deadline. I’ve always known this. But I have not always known to what degree. I mean, Sage has only been away a day or two at a time before… things got back to normal before they had a chance to become obvious problems.

I was kind of looking forward to this time. I’d planned to relax and get at things I just want to do, as well. Like watch To Kill a Mockingbird. I finally read the book after having meant to read it for ages, and now I can watch the movie. I have it here. I just can’t seem to set aside the 2 hours or so to watch it. I have some knitting that could be worked on. I want to pick up the guitar. I seem to be flitting about, keeping myself occupied with nothing really, and next thing I know Quinn is up from a nap, and so I feed him, change him, and play with him until he’s ready for another nap.

Thankfully Sage is due home tomorrow at some point, barring any more big ferry issues, and things will get back to normal. I apparently need that parental-style stress I occasionally complain about having too much of. What a cruel joke.

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Moving day

Posted on August 8, 2007 by relaxusinterruptus

You caught me with my place in disarray! Please bear with me as I make my little place here a cozy home for me and my ramblings.

But please do come back. Thanks.

Posted in General | 3 Comments